Author |
Topic: Antihistamines a CH cause? (Read 5459 times) |
|
NoAntihistamine
New Board Newbie
I love YaBB 1G - SP1!
Posts: 3
|
 |
Antihistamines a CH cause?
« on: Feb 25th, 2007, 8:38pm » |
 Quote  Modify
|
I sufferred from ~eight clusters from ~1983-1998. Fortunately, it has been nine years since my last cluster. The longest respite during 1983-98 was only four years.
Looking back at my CH diaries, I had noticed that I sometimes, if not often, had had a cold or something similar in the days just prior to the start of the cluster. I typically would have taken an antihistamine (AH) for the colds. As a matter of fact, I know for sure that I took one for a cold just prior to the 1998 cluster.
Then the following popped into my head: could AH's actually be the main trigger of my CH's?? Besides considering my diaries, I figured there could be some logic in this idea. My understanding is that the symptoms of CH's are largely a result of histamine. So, I was thinking that perhaps AH's have actually caused a rebound effect on me shortly after finishing that cold's AH treatment? Maybe my body reacts to the stopping of AH's by overproducing the kind of histamine that causes a cluster?
Well, I have not taken a single AH since 1998. Being that I also haven't had a cluster since 1998, I'm now thinking more and more that there may be some validity to this idea for at least me. As a matter of fact, I intend to avoid them for the rest of my life as long as I feel there may be a connection for me.
Has anyone here ever heard of a possible AH/CH connection? Has anyone here suspected this as a possible cause of their own CH's? Thanks in advance for all replies.
|
|
 IP Logged |
|
|
|
BB
CH.com Alumnus
New Board Newbie
I love YaBB 1G - SP1!
Posts: 0
|
|
Re: Antihistamines a CH cause?
« Reply #1 on: Feb 25th, 2007, 8:47pm » |
Quote Modify
|
Its actually the histamines released during a cold/infection/allergy that is believed to be a component in cluster headaches. Antihistamines actually are and were prescribed as treatment for CH.
However, many people have reported that a cold/flu/allergy can be a trigger for a cluster headache or even a whole cycle.
The exact mechanism is not known.
Glad you are in remission and hope it lasts forever for you.
Annette
|
|
IP Logged |
|
|
|
burnt-toast
New Board Hall of Famer
Gender: 
Posts: 1686
|
|
Re: Antihistamines a CH cause?
« Reply #2 on: Feb 26th, 2007, 10:27am » |
Quote Modify
|
My journal shows a relationship between unusual increases in CH activity and use of antihistamines.
I've stopped using antihistamines to treat cold symptoms. Not sure what the relationship may be but at least in my case there has been reasonable/noteable improvement in the predictability of CH activity.
Histamine desensatization is a treatment for CH. Is it possible that rapidly decreasing/increasing histamine levels by treating colds with antihistamines can set CH activity off? Not sure but it is interesting that you noticed the same thing I did.
Tom
|
| « Last Edit: Feb 26th, 2007, 10:28am by burnt-toast » |
IP Logged |
Would the owner of the propane torch, egg beater, pipe expander and vise grips please claim these items. They're lodged in my head and I need the space.
|
|
|
LS
New Board Newbie
I love YaBB 1G - SP1!
Posts: 2
|
|
Re: Antihistamines a CH cause?
« Reply #3 on: Feb 26th, 2007, 10:34am » |
Quote Modify
|
to add just a completely different perspective...
i actually have found that my last two recent bouts with the flu (both in february) caused my clusters to become much less frequent and im a chronic sufferer, so any break is nice 
|
|
IP Logged |
|
|
|
StressFree
New Board Veteran
James4:8 I'm a moral failure, but there is hope...
Gender:
Posts: 158
|
|
Re: Antihistamines a CH cause?
« Reply #4 on: Feb 26th, 2007, 1:42pm » |
Quote Modify
|
I've always wondered about antihistamine connection also. I won't take it either. Several years between cycles for me too. There have been discussions here regarding colds/flu as a trigger also. I had tried antihistamine and melatonin during some cycles as part of treatment and always had a bad reactions. Headaches increased in frequency and severity. Many find they get relief with these though. A very odd animal we battle isn't it?
|
|
IP Logged |
|
|
|
pattik
CH.com Alumnus
New Board Hall of Famer
 
Gender: 
Posts: 2404
|
|
Re: Antihistamines a CH cause?
« Reply #5 on: Feb 26th, 2007, 7:53pm » |
Quote Modify
|
on Feb 25th, 2007, 8:47pm, BB wrote:
Its actually the histamines released during a cold/infection/allergy that is believed to be a component in cluster headaches. |
|
By that warped logic, then my last two cycles came out of nowhere, since I was having absolutely no infections or allergies at the time.
Quote:| The exact mechanism is not known |
|
Thanks for clearing that up and throwing in a disclaimer.
Pat
|
|
IP Logged |
The voyage of discovery is not about seeking new landscapes, it's about having new eyes--Marcel Proust
|
|
|
UN solved
Guest
|
|
Re: Antihistamines a CH cause?
« Reply #6 on: Feb 27th, 2007, 9:44pm » |
Quote Modify
 Remove
|
on Feb 26th, 2007, 10:27am, burnt-toast wrote:| . Is it possible that rapidly decreasing/increasing histamine levels by treating colds with antihistamines can set CH activity off? |
|
Too much Histamine, too fast, WILL cause a cluster headache immediatley.
As long as I get my Histamine from time to time, I'm doing okay. Without it, it's a cold day in clusterville !!
|
|
IP Logged |
|
|
|
BMoneeTheMoneeMan
CH.com Alumnus
New Board Hall of Famer
In remembrance of KingCazman. RIP
Posts: 2082
|
|
Re: Antihistamines a CH cause?
« Reply #7 on: Mar 1st, 2007, 9:12pm » |
Quote Modify
|
There are different kinds of antihistamine. I take diphenhydramine every nite with melatonin, and the cocktail helps a lot. Diphenhydramine is the drug in generic allergy meds, benadryl, tylonol PM and others.
There are others like pseudoeffedrin also. I haven't really ever taken any cold meds except sometimes nyquil, so i cant comment on others. A lot of these pills also have acetaminophen or ibuprofen, which are triggers for a lot of people.
|
|
IP Logged |
"Fool me once, shame on, shame on you. Fool - can't get fooled again"
Think of how stupid the average person is, and then realize half the population is stupider than that.
|
|
|
NoAntihistamine
New Board Newbie
I love YaBB 1G - SP1!
Posts: 3
|
|
Re: Antihistamines a CH cause?
« Reply #8 on: Mar 11th, 2007, 9:55pm » |
Quote Modify
|
Thanks to all who replied and thanks Annette for your nice comments.
It looks to me like there is no strong consensus one way or the other. However, it does appear there is at least some support for my idea from some in this thread. I'm guessing that the right answer is that either AH's or the ending of a period of taking AH's may very well be the primary trigger for the onset of a cluster for some people.
Any other comments? Thanks in advance.
|
|
IP Logged |
|
|
|
LeLimey
CH.com Alumnus
New Board Hall of Famer
OUCH-US - Less "ME" and more "WE"
Gender:
Posts: 11720
|
|
Re: Antihistamines a CH cause?
« Reply #9 on: Mar 12th, 2007, 4:41am » |
Quote Modify
|
I think as you can see that the most insidious thing about CH is there are no rules. What triggers one of us helps another, some meds work fantastically for one of us and send another to the very depths of hell.
That is one of the hardest things about this condition, you don't just go through hell with the pain - you can go through hell trying to find your magic bullet to stop it too.
I'm glad you've found something that works for you and thank you for sharing your experiences - its always good to hear someone has found something that helps!
Without trying to rain on your parade though please, please bear in mind that this damn thing morphs and what works now may not work in six months or for your next cycle or whatever.
Stick around and learn some of the other ways we cope too, it can only help you to have a bigger armoury for when the beast comes calling!
Looking forward to getting to know you
Helen
|
|
IP Logged |
The arsehole I'm divorcing needs to get a life and stop stalking mine
|
|
|
NoAntihistamine
New Board Newbie
I love YaBB 1G - SP1!
Posts: 3
|
|
Re: Antihistamines a CH cause?
« Reply #10 on: Mar 23rd, 2007, 12:03am » |
Quote Modify
|
on Mar 12th, 2007, 4:41am, LeLimey wrote:I think as you can see that the most insidious thing about CH is there are no rules. What triggers one of us helps another, some meds work fantastically for one of us and send another to the very depths of hell.
That is one of the hardest things about this condition, you don't just go through hell with the pain - you can go through hell trying to find your magic bullet to stop it too.
I'm glad you've found something that works for you and thank you for sharing your experiences - its always good to hear someone has found something that helps!
Without trying to rain on your parade though please, please bear in mind that this damn thing morphs and what works now may not work in six months or for your next cycle or whatever.
Stick around and learn some of the other ways we cope too, it can only help you to have a bigger armoury for when the beast comes calling!
Looking forward to getting to know you
Helen |
|
Thanks Helen.
Does anyone else have any comments related to whether or not the end of a period of taking antihistamines is likely a trigger for the start of a new cluster due to a rebound effect of sorts?
|
|
IP Logged |
|
|
|
pieface_49
New Board Veteran
Gender:
Posts: 174
|
|
Re: Antihistamines a CH cause?
« Reply #11 on: Mar 27th, 2007, 9:11pm » |
Quote Modify
|
I posted in another post I know my histamine levels are high. No one has replied. If I take nyquil, dayquil or alka selzer plus during a cycle I will no doubt bring on a hit. Almost a given. During my cycle my histamine level is high and in mid-cycle they are extremely high. My urine becomes foggy or extremely yellow and it stinks. Now that I think (pray) I am on the downside of my cycle, my urine is going back to normal. Coincidence, I don't think so.
I am also allergic to zyrtec, an antihistamine. It will take me to a state that I liken to fibromyallgia. Anyone have this experience with zyrtec, I would like to hear from you. Apparently not because no one else has replied to my topic on antihistamines.
Sorry Helen, can't reply on the menstrual cycle 
Pie
|
| « Last Edit: Mar 27th, 2007, 9:12pm by pieface_49 » |
IP Logged |
When God was passing out stinkers, I thought He said thinkers. I now have a better stinker than a thinker.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Home
Help
Search
Members
Member Map
Login
Register
Reply
Notify of replies
Send Topic
Print
test rss